Toyota Corolla Altis facelift now on sale, from RM121k

Details and prices having been revealed since last month, the new facelifted Toyota Corolla Altis has finally gone on sale. The ubiquitous C-segment sedan gains a new look and massively improved standard safety kit.

First up, the prices, which start at RM120,900 for the 1.8E, rising up to RM123,900 for the 1.8G and RM138,900 for the top-of-the-range 2.0V – the same prices as before. All prices are on-the-road inclusive of insurance and a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

Exterior-wise, there’s a redesigned front end – reshaped headlights flank a slimmer grille, with a thicker chrome trim. The front bumper has also been reprofiled and gets a wider air intake for a more aggressive look. Meanwhile, the rear of the car receives new LED tail light graphics and a thinner chrome rear garnish.

Inside, the Corolla Altis gains a mildly-restyled dashboard with round corner air vents, a new centre console and new air-con controls. The multifunction controls on the steering wheel have also been revised, while the instrument cluster has been given new graphics.

The 1.8G gains auto-folding door mirrors, leather upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity and an Optitron instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch colour multi-info display. Step up to the 2.0G and one gains LED projector headlights, 17-inch alloys, sports seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control and steering wheel paddle shifters.

Safety-wise, all models now get seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knees), ABS with EBD and brake assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and ISOFIX rear child seat anchors. That is a huge jump from the outgoing model, which had two airbags as standard; only the 2.0V received VSC, and you had to pay an extra RM3,900 for the Additional Safety Package to get seven airbags.

Mechanicals remain mostly unchanged – you get a choice of either a 1.8 litre 2ZR-FE Dual VVT-i four-cylinder petrol engine producing 139 PS at 6,400 rpm and 173 Nm at 4,000 rpm, or a 2.0 litre 3ZR-FR unit churning out 145 PS at 6,200 rpm and 187 Nm at 3,600 rpm. Both mills are mated to a CVT with a seven-speed virtual ratio function and a new Sport mode. The suspension has been retuned for a more refined ride.

Options include a RM6,137 Value Package that adds a DVD-AVX infotainment system, a reverse camera, a digital video recorder, illuminated scuff plates and Toyota Premium Security and Solar window tint, along with a RM1,272 upgrade to a navigation system with smartphone connectivity, HDMI, WiFi and an Internet browser. There’s also an aerokit that costs RM2,438, or RM3,710 when bundled with the navigation system.

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

Get a Mazda 3 instead, really, save yourself some money and wait for the 2017 facelifted model with G-Vectoring. I’m not a Mazda salesman, just saying, it’s got more power (162hp), and a proper 6 speed gearbox.

and come on, Toyota, you call that an interior?
Really, I mean, like dude, really?

While Mazda 3 is good on handling, the Altis is targeting another group of people. It all depends on what the buyer is looking for. In terms of refinement and comfort ride, Altis wins both the Civic and Mazda 3. For handling the Mazda 3 is definitely better and for power will be the Civic Turbo.

According to Malaysian Government statistics, just having VSC alone can prevent 45% of all accidents and deaths in Malaysia in a given year.

This was recently announced when the Government said by 2019 all cars must have VSC.

UMW Toyota just recently in 2016 gave VSC for all their VIOS, ALTIS and CAMRY despite all these cars having VSC the past 16 years globally.

UMW Toyota decided to give VSC because they had no choice. Their sales were near ZERO for Camry, Altis and Vios was also suffering badly because the City was so highly specced.

I can only wonder. If UMW Toyota had given VSC in their Vios, Altis and Camry 16 years ago, like how all global Altis and Camry had, how many hundreds of thousands of accidents and deaths could have been prevented.

Somemore, past 16 years, Toyota was No 1 non national selling car in Malaysia.

How many lives could we have saved?

You dare to buy from a company more interested in UNTUNG than the safety of Malaysians?

Ioma is correct that the previous generation Perdana (from Mitsubishi Galant) from the 90’s to late 2000’s has no airbag installed. Only the Honda Accord version of Perdana launched last year (for government) and this year (for public) has airbag installed

OMG RM121k for a small C segment car. Malaysians still cannot forget that for the last so many years, UMW was selling RM139k their Altis and with just 2 airbags. And their lower Altis never even had VSC and was sold over RM120k.

Only when sales of Altis went ZERO and everybody started buying Civic, UMW had no choice but to give us VSC and more airbags.

What an unethical company. You dare to buy from an unethical company who had disregard for Malaysian safety for the past 20 years?

Haih.. you prefer to get con by this company, it is your choice. Don’t accuse others not able to afford it while they are smart already not to be con again. For how much RM T sell this Altis before all the gadget come in previously if you remember?

Proton has been running on the principle “biasalah, proton memang cam ni” until now only want to give vsc and airbags when people don’t buy them. Talk about ethics. Too bad, perple still don’t buy them.

Lol, u should look at its tail pipe.
Hideous
either put on some chrome tips or dont show it at all
Proper – get rear aircond vent, proper interior (hideous looking security lock led-on the driver side) this is 2016 not year 2000 , lol
BTW, sport button ? really ? LOL

Unfortunately, Malaysians are overly obsessed with the BIG H Brand with their 6 airbag Civic with 1.5 liter Vtec turbo engine:) Bro, many Ah Bengs lined up like crazy at Bandar Sunway to modify their beloved Civic Turbo cars. LOL
Malaysia is a country where HONDA is the best. Sad but true among the Malaysian motoring consumers.
Pity you friend with huge number of dislikes.

Absolutely correct comments.
I came across some stupid Dumb AF families all over Malaysia, whereby they only buy Honda branded cars only.
Small car is a honda city, SUV for the wife, an UGLY CR-V, Ah Beng and Ah Lian driving civic and Jazz, and the Father driving an Accord. Narrow minded and of poor taste. Where the hell are the other brands? DumbA** AF, Jakun punya orang.

Totally agreed with you. Sometimes they purposely created those character such as that kunta fellow but one thing we all dont like is to bring politic to carblog. They dont care anyway. Marketing with no ethic.

Since already can afford camry GX, might as well top up to camry hybrid
Since already can afford camry hybrid, surely can top up for C250
Since already can afford mercedes, might as well one shot go for dream car in the end from altis top up until LaFerrari FXXK

actually..my father had an altis , and yes..absolutely its a comfortable car , i showed the camry n he hate it…he bought an accord too before buying the altis , n said to me that he need a smaller car which suits him well..so i think now its depends on someone’s taste..people now like to comment that this car bad or bla bla bla…saying its too horrible..not worth it…but they actually dont feel it…beauty is in the one of the beholder…he like, he have money , he buy…simple…just sharing what i thought..cheers

I just came out from Nissan showroom. A brand New Nissan Teana with 6 airbags, VSC and big screen DVD and Reverse Camera is RM123k OTR. This is after discounts. All pondans who will dispute this figure please call Nissan PJ and ask yourself.

Why would I buy a small C segment junk car for RM121k when I can get a huge 2.0 Sedan from Nissan?

UMW is so sneaky, they are charging extra RM6k for DVD and Reverse Camera?

Bro, i spent time and effort to go to the showroom snd enquire on this deal. Guess what. Noweher close to what u claimed. Showed the salesman your comment and he said impossble to get that price. Such an idiot i am to listen to a whiny online troll like you

This is the first time this model is facelifted. Obviously you don’t know anything about cars. Carmakers will introduced an all new model at one time, and within 2-3 years will launch the facelift model.

Wow ! This red colour looks… ‘different’ ! For some reason, this reminds me of those pink coloured Corollas that Mary Kay uses… you know, the ones near Digital Mall in PJ ? If you’ve ever seen one, I’m sure you know what I mean … a very ‘unusual’ colour, right ? haha

Red is not a colour you’d expect to see on a Corolla Altis (or Camry). I believe this is the very first time UMW Toyota has given us red paint on their Altis. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

Anyway, I strongly commend UMWT for making 7 airbags and VSC standard in the new Altis (and Camry too). It’s a good move, and it will serve them well in the coming years.

Now that the ‘safety gap’ between UMWT and Honda Malaysia has narrowed… what will happen next ? Will HMSB bring in Honda Sensing sooner than expected ? We’ll see.

Yes,Ioniq seems like God send until the DCT gearbox broke down and your new car has to be towed to the workshop to wait months for spares. The Germans(VW) and even the Japanese(Honda Fit) has issues with DCT. You think the Koreans can beat them? Think again. Also have to keep car for life unless you are prepare to lose big time in Korean and Hybrid resale value. Even the Japanese Hybrid Toyota Prius has bad resale value in M’sia.

Bro, Malaysians are extremely obsessed with HONDA and brand cautious. Not many appreciate Hyundai vehicles here in bolehland. They think you are an idiot for buying Korean branded cars due to low resale value.
Most of them are blinded by Honda’s Brand image and powerful marketing strategies.

Who wants to buy corolla? Still not turbocharged, outdated engine and CVT transmission which is not at all enjoyable to drive. What suspension this car has? Not too sure. Multilink suspension is the best you can get and the Jetta has that. I would rather buy a Civic or a Jetta than this corolla.. You see very few corollas on the road these days. Sales are really bad and the corolla is not selling well.

Get a Mazda 3 instead, really, save yourself some money and wait for the 2017 facelifted model with G-Vectoring. I’m not a Mazda salesman, just saying, it’s got more power (162hp), and a proper 6 speed gearbox.

and come on, Toyota, you call that an interior?
Really, I mean, like dude, really?

At last, Toyota woke up after years of self denial. Thank you Toyota. Now we don’t have to get Honda for full safety features anymore. Hail Toyota. BS BQ QC of Honda BS Malaysia. Horrible cars with bullshit quality.

Not worth the price. Reverse camera to pay for extra? Civic is brand new car while this is just a facelife. Rm120k for full spec ok la, rm138k + options sorry la…UMW is killing Toyota brand in malaysia. Sure the japanese guys are pening in Japan.

Since the dvd avn/avx , reverse cam thingy is optional across the range. Is there any picture of the original headunit? Tried searching over for one at toyota malaysia’s website and there isnt any either(all shown with optional package).. Too shameful to show off ei?

These days no one buys the Altis. The civic or the Jetta is a better C segment car. The Altis is outdated with NA engine and CVT transmission which doesn’t at all feel good. No wonder sales are dwindling.

no u moron. it is not outdated. only no turbo. but that is only in malaysia. in 2003 toyota caldina has a turbocharger. at that time no honda cars have a turbocharger at all. not city, not jazz, not civic, not integra, not nsx, not accord. even 1992 toyota celica has turbo as a standard feature. on the toyota starlet.

It is not the taxes we pay to purchase a car but also the other added ownership cost like toll, license, road-tax, servicing, repairs, insurance and fuel. Not against such expense but hope to see more EFFECTIVE USAGE.

People’s perception of Toyota has really changed these days. I couldn’t agree more. Why choose the Altis when you can get better cars such as the latest civic or Jetta with your hard earned money and better driving pleasure. Seriously I don’t expect to see Toyota achieving its sales target for this outdated overpriced car. Safety wise it’s fine now, but it loses out considerably in other very important areas. I don’t expect to see this ‘new’ Altis on our roads. Today I see only the latest civic, Mazda 3 and Jetta.

In this segment, I’ll only consider Civic, Mazda 3, or perhaps the VW Jetta. Hard to choose the Corolla. It does look better than the previous Altis, but that’s only because the Altis was downright ugly.

Bernard, do yourself a favour. Go and ask any used car dealer, they are having so many unsold Altis and Camry in their yards, I guess only their vios is the only model which is selling well, but isn’t the city too? I bet customer’s sentiment is right. Altis and Camry is simply just not the hot selling cars anymore. If Japanese cars are concerned, I’ll go for the civic or wait for the new Mazda 3, hope it will be a turbocharged skyactiv. I will also seriously consider the Jetta, its superior in terms of technology and safety and yes the CKD models here assembled since 2014 are reliable cars. Just my 2 cents.

To those Korean fans, your products can no longer sell nowadays since raptor & I stopped feeding strategies to Korean cars company. They failed to market Korean cars since 2014 and worst at 2015 and bottom now, relied on throwing very cheap price but still can’t sell better than Japanese. Under my help back then, Korean managed to fight Japanese head on in 2011-2013 where Elantra 1.8 priced at RM112-115k range.

Korean cars are considered more advanced than P1, that’s why the new Cerato is priced at Japanese C-segment price range now. Altis have to follow the new ruling too, that is why priced so high for being CBU from Thailand. Civic gets to retain price because it’s CKD local.

Altis in overall is good car, despite being priced higher it could still outsell Korean cars.

I bought this car. I regret. Well it is better than my wira I bought at 49k many years ago but I didnt feel like a fool bcos wira was the best at that price. This altis is a substandard car. I felt cheated and stupid buying this.

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